Billy Davies warns his players not to be distracted as he makes his Nottingham Forest return

As Billy Davies returns for a second spell as manager, Nottingham Forest fans will almost certainly give him a noisy reception.

But, while the Scotsman insists it will be a proud moment for him to walk out of the tunnel for a second time as manager of the club, he has given his players a stark message. And that is: Ignore the hype.

While Davies' return is likely to add a more passionate edge to the City Ground crowd, the boss is determined to ensure that does not become a distraction.

And, even though he may have a lump in his throat himself ahead of the Bolton game, he wants his players to remain focused on the task in hand.

"My message to the players will be simple – forget the euphoria in the stands," said Davies. "We need three points, we want three points and we have to go out and get them.

"For me, the euphoria won't matter. Yes, it will be nice. It will be nice if I do get a good welcome.

"But the most important thing is that the players don't get caught up in anything other than their focus on the game."

Davies' stance does not mean that he will not relish making a proud return to the City Ground however.

After steering the club away from the threat of relegation, after arriving in January 2009, Davies twice led the Reds into the play-off places.

And the former Preston and Derby manager admits it will be a special occasion for him.

"I am very proud to be back. I am delighted with the recognition the fans have given us for the job we have done (in the past)," he said.

"This club had one foot in League One and we turned that around.

"The fact that they welcomed us back with open arms speaks volumes about what we did before.

"People say 'never go back' and I agree with that. But I believe I am back in different circumstances.

"And I do have unfinished business."

But can Forest fans expect to see a different Billy Davies this time around, as he embarks on a second spell at the helm?

He said: "If you ask any of the players would they want me to change?

"They would say 'no'. I'm very respectful to the players and staff and they know the kind of personality I am and the demands I have.

"The welcome I had (from the players) was very pleasing. Do they want me to change? I wouldn't think so.

"It's not so much changing, it's understanding the change in the game and the people within it.

"The game is changing and people are changing within it. It's a whole new world and football clubs are viewed differently as is the information that gets to supporters.

"There is media debate and social media and all sorts of different bobs that have changed the game.

"That is a big difference."

Davies admits he enjoyed the relationship he had with the Forest fans in the past and is looking forward to resuming it.

But he also believes that popularity goes hand in hand with success – and knows he will have to work hard to earn their support for a second time.

"Don't forget I was going around in an open top bus at Derby with god knows how many supporters appreciating what I had done. They appreciated it at the time," he said.

"I also had a great relationship with Preston fans.

"I've had great relationships with the clubs I've been at.

"It'll be the same again at Forest. If you win games and do all you can, they will support you.

"But when you get beaten they are quite right to be unhappy. You expect that. That is football."

To Davies, these are familiar surroundings. He will not have to be directed to find his way from the changing rooms to the home dug out.

Nor has he struggled to acclimatise to the surroundings of the Nigel Doughty Academy training ground.

But, while there are also many familiar faces at the club, Davies says there has still been some acclimatising to be done.

"There are five or six people I know, but it does feel like a whole new club," he said. "It really is.

"Even the dressing rooms and the offices are different. There are some familiar faces here, but it is 70% a new squad.

"The club functions differently with new owners and we need to get grips with who does what.

"There have been a lot of changes made. But that is always going to be the case with new owners."

But, when the roof lifts off the stadium just before kick off this afternoon, Davies is sure to feel right at home again.

20 comments

I'm genuinely excites about Billy's return……….i mean it can't get any worse.
Today's score won't mean much in the grand scheme of things as it is only his first game in charge but excited i am.
Nice to hear Billy tell the players to '…..play for the badge' and '…..have pride in playing for Nottingham Forest'
COYR

Win or Lose................its just day ONE..........Sun is shining....big crowd......Enjoy the day
All us true fans know how bad this team has played defensively this season, so if the worst happens no big deal .....
But if the unthinkable happens and we do some how get a win...I bet those waiting to get on here to moan about Davies since his arrival will some how vanish till a score goes against us......
God.....its been a long time since I was so fired up waiting for kick off time.........talk about a cat on a hot tin roof........

Red dogs.....
Soo excited today
Billy Davies the wee man returns
Around the city ground will be chants of ...
King Billy
Messiah returns
Billy back home
What complete tosh
Forest are an embarrassment and a laughing stock
All this talk of promotion....u are nearer the relegation battle than u r from the top six
Iam sure today the city ground will be full of excited little reds with their tails up and that's just not the billy brigade
Iam also sure that if forest win , it will be down to the super human powers of billy
Another 4 sackings this week at pitful forest , run of the mill really , u can call it more house keeping ....or. Billy taking revenge ....whatever u call it , forest are treating people who have given years and years of service to the club awfully
Forest are a joke , they go from calamity to calamity ....and that's why the country are laughing at them
In cotteril we trust
In O'driscoll we trust
In MacLeish we trust
In billy we trust
In..........
Tinpot club with a small mentality
Kids for a quid

Paulderby You just keep playing the kids and paying them a quid and see where it gets you the same as it has done in the past five years nowhere, you have even got racist supporters calling there own players (Tyson) what a shambles of a club and another 25% on next seasons season tickets all this and your gates have fallen by 6,000 are you the next Portsmouth????

I really hope all the Billy believers are right this afternoon and we turn a corner and he makes a diference... However
It doesnt matter who we have in charge at the moment unless we revamp the defence and get an expierence keeper, i cant see alot changing. No disrespect to young Karl but i feel he would be a great No2 at our club again, just like Smithy was all the years. Im glad Campo has gone, getting to the dizzy heights of Irelands No1 went to his head. There are loads of experienced 2nd or 3rd choice keeper in the Prem that would jump at the chance to come to our club, if we pay decent wages, same with defenders. Please Fawazi get your wallet open... Im glad Billy has said he is giving Lewis a chance, he could do alot worse then build a team around him, i would love the old Lewis back!!
I will be behind Billy and the team today and every week, although im not a Billy fan, he should be given a chance before I give anymore opinions on him, i just cant help thinking he is a choker when it comes to big games.. Please Billy prove me wrong and make me look an idiot for what i have said about your appointment and get us to the Prem this time, everyone deserves a second chance.... FTID